Adjusting incandescent lamps.



U. 0 HARRINGTON.

ADJUSTING INCANDESCENT LAMPS APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13. 1914.

1,241,51 2c Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

2 SHEET$SHEET L FEGKH WITNESSES IHVENTOR C. 0. HARRINGTON.

ADJUS'HNG INCANDESCENT LAMPS. APPLICATION men MAR. 13. I914.

1 ,%41,51 29 Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES .tmrrnn s'rArEs PATENT orrron CLINTON O. HARRINGTQN, OF EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, COB- IORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTING INCANDESCENT LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

' Application filed March 13, 1914. Serial No. 824,469.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON O. HARRING- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood Borough, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and .useful Improve with relation to the lamp base.

Incandescent electric lamps which have been adjusted in accordance with my invention are particiilarly adapted for use in light signals comprising a lamp and an optical device-such as a reflector or a lens or bothfor projecting a beam of substantially parallel rays from the lamp. In signals of this.

kind it is desirableto employ what is known as concentrated filament lamps, that is, lamps whose filaments are concentrated as nearly as possible at a point. Hence, in order toobtain the highest efficiency it is necessary-that the filament be located at a definite point with relation tothe reflector or lens, this point usually being the focus. In the manufacture of these lamps, however, it has been found difficult to locate the filament accurately in a given position with relation to the bulb, and that this position varies with difi'erent lamps. Hence, even if the bulbs are all mounted in the same position in their bases and the bases all mounted in the same position in the signal, the filaments of the several lamps will vary in position with respect to the reflector or lens.

In my invention I provide means for, and methods of, constructing the lamps so that the filament of each lamp occupies-a given position with relation to the lamp base; means can then be provided in the signal for mounting the lamp bases in a given position, hence the filament of each lamp will occupy the desired position with relation to the optical device of the signal.

I will describe certain methods and certain forms of apparatus embodying my invention," and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing an incandescent electric lamp which may be adjusted in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing in side elevation one form of apparatus embodying my invention for locating the bulb so that the filament bears a definite lo-' cation with respectto the base before cementing the two together. Fig. 3 is a view looking at the right-hand end of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by line IVIV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view showing a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and embodyingmy invention. Fig. 6 is a view showing still another modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and also embodying my invention. Fig. 7 is a view showing in perspective and partly diagrammatic, a portion of the apparatus shown in gimilar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the lamp here shown comprisesa bulb 1 which supports and incloses a concentrated filament 2, to which are attached wires 2 2 projecting from the bulb. 3 is a lamp base of insulating material to which the bulb is attached by means of cement as indicated in the drawing. Fixed in the lamp base 8 are two tubes 4 of conducting material such as brass, through which the wires 2 extend and in which they are soldered. It is apparent that if the lamp be so assembled that the filament 2 occupies a given positlon with re- I lation to the lamp base 3, then by locating the lamp base at a given point 1n a signal the filament will be in the desired position with relation to the optical device of the si a1.

eferring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the apparatus here shown comprises a base- 5 provided with two holes 6 so spaced as to receive the tubes 4 of the lamp base 3, the size of the holes being such that the tubes fit snugly therein. It will be seen, therefore, that the lamp base 3 can be located in a definite position with respect to the base 5. 7 is a plate which is mounted to swing on a pin 8 supported in bearings 9 which are secured to the base 5. This plate is provided with a central aperture 7, through which the lamp base 3 projects when the plate lies close to the base 5. Plate 7 carries means for adjustably holding the lamp bulb 1 and also means for determining when the filament 2 occupies a given position with retubes 11, which fit over the rods 10, whereby the frame may slide longitudinally on these rods. The frame may be reciprocated on the rods 10 by means of a screw 25, which passes through a threaded hole in the frame 11, and which is Provided with a T-shaped head which is retained in a socket 26 on the plate 12. Fixed to the upper end of this screw is a wing nut 27, by means of which the screw may be turned by hand. The frame 11 has a central rectangular aperture 11 in which slides a hollow rectangular member 13, the latter being held in place by flanges which extend short distances over the upper surface of frame 11, as shown in Fig. 3. Member 13 may be reciprocated by a screw 14 which passes through a threaded hole in frame 11 and which has a head which fits freely in a T-shaped slot in the member 13. Fixed to the outer end of this screw is a knurled nut 14, by means of which the screw may readily be turned by hand. Located within the member 13 is a second rectangular member 15 which slides therein and is held in place by flanges which extend short distances over the upper surface of member 13 as shown in Fig. 2. Member 15 may be reciprocated by a screw 16 which passes through a threaded hole in member 13 and is provided with a head which fits freely in a T-shaped slot in member 15. The screw is also provided with a knurled nut 16 by means of which it may be turned by hand. This latter screw also passes through a slot 18 in frame 11 whereby member 13 maybe recip'rocated' without interference between the frame 11 and screw 16. Member 15 is provided with a conical aperture 17 of such size and shape as to accommodate the lamp bulb 1, so that this member serves as a cradle in which the bulb may rest. The bulb is held. in place in the cradle by a cap 19 which is journaled on a rod 19 carried in the upper ends of the tubes 11 and which is hollowed out as shown at 20 to fit the upper end of the bulb. A thick pad 19 of felt or similar material is preferably located between the bulb and the-cap 19 to permit adjustment of the bulb without-danger of breakage. The cap 19 is held in place by a screw 21 which is pivotally connected with the frame 11 at 24 and which fits into a slot 23 in the cap; a wing nut 22 serves to clamp the cap in place over the .bulb.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the bulb '1 may be adjusted in any direction with relation to the plate 7 by turning screws 25, 14 and 16.

To determine when the filament .2 occupies the proper location with respect to the plate 7 I provide suitable optical means which I will now describe. The means shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 comprises two -the finders are so located and adjusted that when the filament 2 is in the desired position with relation to the plate 7 the center of the image of the filament on-each ground glass plate lies at the intersection of the cross-hairs. Inasmuch as the two finders are disposed 90 apart it will be seen that the lo'cation of the filament is absolutely'determinable in all three planes.

The method of adjusting a lamp by the apparatus shown in- Figs. 2,3 and 4 is as follows: The cap 19 is raised, a lamp bulb is inserted in the cradle 17, and the cap is then clamped down over the bulb. The bulb is then adjusted by screws 25, 14 and 16 until the filament occupies the proper location as determined by the finders A and A. Plate 7 is then swung away from the base 5, and a lamp base 3 which contains fresh cement is placed in position on the base 5. Plate 7 isthen swung back into the position shown in the drawings and the apparatus is allowed to stand until the cement has become hard. The assembled lamp may then be removed by raising cap 19.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the apparatus here. shown comprises a base 5 on which is mounted the same apparatus as that 'on base 5 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except that the finders A and A are omittedfrom plate 7. Base 5 is provided with suitable holes which fit snugly over dowel screws 34 fixed in a block 35. Block 35 is fixed on a bracket 37, in Y which is journaled a shaft 36 which carries an arm 38 whereby the arm may be swung through a considerable angle, preferably 90 or more. Mounted in arm 38 is a finder A which may be similar to finders A and A shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and described hereinbefore. The parts are so adjusted and located that when the lamp filament occupies the proper position with relation to the block 35 the center of the image of the filament coincides with theintersection of the cross-hairs in finder A when the latter occupies any position to' which it may be swung. Since the finder may be swung through a considerable angle, only one finder is necessary in this form of' apparatus, the filament being located by viewing it with the finder in two or more difierent positions.

aaeaeia as that shown in the preceg views, except that after the bulb has been properly located the base and the parts carried thereby' with similar apparatus thereon, may be placed on block 35 so that another lamp may be adjusted while the cement in the first lamp is drying. I thus economize the number of finders required to adjust a given number of lamps in a given period of time.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the base 5 and parts mounted thereon are the same as the apparatus shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, except that the finders A and A are omitted. and.

l other means are substituted for determining the location. of the. bulb, which means will now describe. The base 5 is provided with holes which fit snugly over dowel sgvs' 34 urned proon a fixed in a plate 39. This plate is u on one side and carries a lens 40 wh1 jects abeam of light from filament screen 41 carried by plate 39. A circle 42- (see Fig. 7) is markedv on screen 41, which .circle is so located and is of such. size that it coincides with the beam projected by 30. the lens 40 when the filament occupies the proper location with respect to the base plate 39. It will be seen, therefore, that the filament may be definitely located in all three planesby means of a single lens and screen.

111 using the apparatus shown in Fig. 6, a. lamp bulb is properly adjusted and the base 5' is then removed and a'similar v v base substituted therefor, .50 that-as with the apparatus-shown in Fig. 5, one lamp may be adwhile the cement in the preceding amp is drying.

It is understood that the signal whichthe lamp is to be used is provided with a socket which accommodates the lamp base 3,

45 4 which socket is so located that when a prop erly adjusted lamp is placed therein the filament will .occupy the. desired position with'respect to the optical device of the sig-. .nal. (Then, it is evident that" may be removed from the one inserted without-any ad ustment being necessary at'the signal." I

'Although I .have herein shown andjtde only a few forms of, apparatusaem bodying my invention, and have. explained vonly a few methods embed myfinven tion, it-is understood that-various changes and modifications may be ,made .therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing fromjth'e spirit and scope of my invention predetermined position with relation to said old lamp al a d a new-- rigidly mounted position with relation to said member, and

then securing the bulb and the base together.

2* In combination, a base member, means associated therewith for mounting a lamp base in. a predetermined position in said base member, means for adjustably mounting a lamp bulb, and optical means for determining when the filament in said bulb occupies a predetermined position with respect to said base member.

3. In combination, a base member, means associated therewith for holding. a lamp base in a predetermined position thereon, a. frame movable withrelation to said, base member, means forconstraining said frame to move in a given path with relation-to said base member, means carried by said frame. for adjustably mounting a lamp bulb therein, and optical'meansfor determinmg; when the filament in said bulb. occiipiesa frame. p

4.14m incandescent electric lamp com-- prising a bulb, a filament located therem with usual commercial accuracy, and a mem- I ber attached to said bulb and-located in -a predetermined position with respect to said filament. 5. An candescent electric lamp comprising a bulb, a concentrated filament loca therein with usual commercial accuracy, and I a member'attachedto said bulb and. located I in a predetermined position with respect to said filament.

'6. In combination, a member, means ior mounting a lamp base in a predetermined- 1.1)5

- position with respect to. said member,.means having for adjustably mounting a-lamp bul a filament therein, and means for determin- -.-ing when the filament] occupies a predetermined position withrespect to sand member.

7. candescentlelectric lamp includ- 1 ing a .bulb, a filament locatedtherein-w1th usual commercial accuracy, and a member 1 "th referenceto said bulb and located a predetermined position with 11.5 respect to said fila ent.

In'testimony whereof I am my-signature I I V in presence offtwo wi Witnesses' 'A; i

. messe v Orri RINGTON. v 

